By Neil Lurssen I have adored all my dogs. Most were gentle souls and easy-going pals. One or two were maybe not so gentle. One who got me into more red-faced situations by far was Jack, my big black Lab – a free spirit and rebellious character still remembered with affection, head-shaking and some awe by our family and old friends even though he left us many years ago. Jack was very unlablike. I should have realized that Jack would be ..read more

By Candace Key Arlo and Draymond Reading in the B&T Blog about visits many dog foster parents have had with their previous charges has left me a bit envious as a cat foster mom. If only cats could be walked, or would even tolerate cat sitting with other cats’ families we would have so many more opportunities to catch up with heartwarming stories and happy lives. Then I realized I have had the opportunity to connect with some of ..read more

The author with a friend     By Neil Lurssen Anyone who has worked in a dog rescue shelter will tell you that Pit Bulls and other members of the Bully family are among the most lovable, loyal and entertaining of all. They are also the most frequently surrendered to shelters, confiscated, rescued as strays or found abandoned. They are the Oliver Twists of the canine world – creatures that, more than any other breed, have been abused by ..read more

By Kim Bromley When casting about for a new blog topic I realized the blog hasn’t discussed cats very much lately. This put me in mind of our recently departed Lorenzo and then, naturally, all the wonderful cats who shared our lives for the past 37 years. After my flood of tears subsided I decided to write a very personal (and hopefully entertaining) blog about the cat(s) I miss. I moved to Marin in the summer of 1987 to work for ..read more

By Neil Lurssen If there is one thing you can say about the good people of Germany, it’s this: “Don’t mess with their dogs!”  The fine folks of the Fatherland are known to dote on their canine pets and, in particular, the breeds that carry national pride – like the Dachshund and the German Shepherd who are right up there at the top of the list of favorites. Take for instance the dog we in America affectionately call the Doxie ..read more

By Kim Bromley Washable area rugs are expensive and worth it! As I contemplate Claude’s latest throw up at 2:35am my mind catches on the practice of gratitude. This is lofty business in the middle of the night and challenging to engage with after the sound of a retching poodle has sent me hurtling out of bed in the middle of a dream about flying over the Azores. But we’ve all been there, am I right? That sound that ..read more

Let's GO, Neil! By Neil Lurssen It is 2:22pm as I sit at my desk to write this blog. I know have about 38 uninterrupted minutes to gather my thoughts, flip through notes and then start typing. At 3pm – or thereabouts – orderliness will end and tranquility will be replaced by frantic barking, ferocious growling and me yelling bugger off as my jeans are being tugged at by Chloe, the Dachshund/Aussie mix. When I get her off my ..read more

By Candace Key Arlo and Draymond Reading in the B&T Blog about visits many dog foster parents have had with their previous charges has left me a bit envious as a cat foster mom. If only cats could be walked, or would even tolerate cat sitting with other cats’ families we would have so many more opportunities to catch up with heartwarming stories and happy lives. Then I realized I have had the opportunity to connect with some of ..read more

Let's GO, Neil! By Neil Lurssen It is 2:22pm as I sit at my desk to write this blog. I know have about 38 uninterrupted minutes to gather my thoughts, flip through notes and then start typing. At 3pm – or thereabouts – orderliness will end and tranquility will be replaced by frantic barking, ferocious growling and me yelling bugger off as my jeans are being tugged at by Chloe, the Dachshund/Aussie mix. When I get her off my ..read more

By Kim Bromley Washable area rugs are expensive and worth it! As I contemplate Claude’s latest throw up at 2:35am my mind catches on the practice of gratitude. This is lofty business in the middle of the night and challenging to engage with after the sound of a retching poodle has sent me hurtling out of bed in the middle of a dream about flying over the Azores. But we’ve all been there, am I right? That sound that ..read more